(originally posted March 4, 2014)
I've been looking at Craigslist for a while now. I'm not looking for anything in particular. Just checking in to see what's going on in the world of craigslist.
For one thing, I thought it's ludicrous that just because a piece of furniture is labeled "mid century," it commands a high price tag. I mean, really! MCM is everywhere on CL! But do people really take that label at face value and buy? I especially dislike people who say they are selling as "owners" when it's obvious that they own some kind of warehouse, or shop that holds all the items they are selling. I'd rather they stay in the "business" side and not jack up the prices for the rest of the market.
But I'm not here to talk about MCM furniture. I'm here whining about my losses.
Already I've "lost" an old campaign style dresser. Sure, it needed lots of TLC, and from the picture I wasn't quite sure if it was a true campaign dresser. But someone bought it pretty fast, right? That means that someone was looking, like me, and spotted the dresser the same time that I did. Only difference was that I hesitated, and failed to go in for the kill, so to speak, and consequently, lost my opportunity. It's always like that. I always know it one minute too late. I'm always after the fact. I hesitated because I wasn't sure if it was the real deal; I didn't want to spend $40.00 for something that we may not need or use. I had hoped maybe the seller would go down in price if I waited, and then I'd feel I have a better chance justifying my purchase. While all these thoughts played out in my mind, I had lost the dresser forever. I hated myself for that.
I stopped browsing CL for a while after that. It was a very short hiatus. When I picked up again, I found a pair of ginger jar lamps for ten bucks. The pictures looked good. After seeing how other people redid those lamps on blogs and pinterest, and remembering how I had previously "lost" the dresser, I quickly made an offer. I asked hubs to pick them up. Then I fretted. What if it was a scam. The seller wasn't in the best of neighborhoods. What if hubs gets robbed, etc. He came home with two nice looking ginger jar lamps. Phew. They were in great condition. The only thing was they were bigger than they had seen the picture. I had asked for more information, but the seller preferred the phone, so in the process of getting his address, some of the questions got shuffled. I do not dislike the purchase. But it wasn't exactly what I had expected... and hence not helping me to be more assertive in my future purchases.
Then I saw a pair of tables for 50. The seller advertised them for their storage capacity and said the tables were made of real wood. I liked the lattice pattern on the side, and imagined painting them, and leaving the inside empty to create a silhouette not unlike this inspirational photo.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/29132728813819192/
It was a really good price for a pair of real wood tables. So why did I wait, I asked myself time and time again. Why did I not jump at the chance to make an offer? Why can't I just get them first and think later of where to put them, and what color to paint them? Why was I worried about the weight of the tables, whether hubs can transport them, and the location of the seller (that looked somewhat fishy)? I checked the posting for a day or two, until it was no more. When I couldn't find the posting, I gasped. It cannot be. I really agonized over this loss. The tables were supposed to wait for me. I already have a place for one of the pair, and I know the dark color I wanted it. How can it not be there for me? I need to have those tables!! Believe me, I was in pain.
As I was recovering from this loss, I browsed through CL again, and saw a hallway table that could be used for my study. It needed a little fix up, but it had really nice bones. For 20 bucks, it was totally worth it. But I didn't even copy the link, and when I went back to it, it was gone. What was I thinking? Really! What was I thinking?! Why did I stop myself from getting these things when I know I liked them?
Why can't I just take the leap, and just bring them home? (This part I haven't figured it out. Perhaps deep down inside I have doubts about making these purchases? I don't really know.)
The worse part is the anger that follows when I realize I've lost an item. I'd then keep on thinking how the "lost" piece would do wonders to my home decoration, and how it would complete the look of my house. I would get upset, as if somehow people have wronged me, and I would be nasty to everyone around me. I am not exaggerating. I was angry all night tonight because I had yet missed another deal. This is what Craigslist does to me.
So I asked myself why? I think it fuels a desire, that of getting a better decorated house at great bargains. Looking at all the items on CL I imagined as opportunities, and opportunities lost when I didn't get them. I don't think CL is the driving source for this greed; there are all those DIY blogs, pinterest that feed the need, so much so that when I don't get the deals, I feel as if the world has failed me. I feel I am entitled to make my house beautiful, and that I deserve having those things, and that I should get things at cheaper, if not cheapest, prices.
That is not the reason we have Craigslist, at least I don't think it is. I believe it is set up as a forum for people to buy/sell things they want/no longer. It is not supposed to help me to be greedy, or to feed my sense of entitlement. Unfortunately, I have usurped its more lofty goals. Ah. My own vice.
Tomorrow is Lent. People are asking what to give up. Perhaps I should take a break from websites like pinterest for 40 days? I need to stop coveting what my "neighbors" have, and put a pause on greed?
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